The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-01-09


nor yet donned the divided skirt of the dress re-
formers, but she has had a seam run into her
petticoat, for stylish occasions. This division of
the garment into two sections IS only for short
distance, at the knee level, and Its effect is to
make the dress conform to the gait of the girl.
She has to modify, of course, the usual process
of dropping the skirt over her head, but no mat
ter for that, SO long her loyeiness OF contour
is heightened. This is said to have been bor-
rowed from Rosina Vokes, the actress. She was
here last winter with her mild but polite
company of British amateurs, and they capti-
waited the fancy of swelldom. 1t was noticed
that in her dancing she managed her long train
with wondrous grace The feat was, at the
time, ascribed to skill alone. But now she is
emulated. She went to a Fifth avenue factor to
get some new clothes made, at the beginning OF
the present season. There she had to give away
the secret. Thence it went out to favored Gus
toners; and now the bellies are waltzing in
scanned skirts.
There is a farce, "My Mlliner's Bill depict
ing wife's despair over debt which, unknown
to her husband, she had con tracted for fine ap
parel. The same sort Of experience is common
among our fashionable women since men dress
makers came into vogue. The seductive tailor
for femininty promises his customers all the
time they want in which to pay. Does he do so?
Oh no. He waits until they have got all they
want Then he puts them in a state of terror
such as am not cruel enough to wish that any
man may ever suffer He writes little note
saying that he unexpectedly finds himself in
need of money. He is sorry. but he must nave
the amount of her bill at once Sakes alive.
Please imagine that little bomhshell falling in
your house when you thought you had two years to
raise the money and have not told your husband
or, perhaps, have fbbed to him about how
| much you had spent for clothes What does she
do? Why, what one of thousand things is
| there that weak woman can do2 say weak
| woman because only a weak woman would let
anybody play with her, and tempt her. She
| cries and pleads and he. very magnanimously,
| compromises for promise OF half down and half
| she raise it. And she goes home
dazed. and almost willing to jump from the
| Brooklyn bridge ii she do quietly and
settle that tailors bill by dong it. If she spends
| many days in thinking over it, another note
| reaches her-a firm and businesslke note-say
| ing that the tailor is reluctant to present the
| bill to her husband, but must DO unless she
| spares him the unpleasant task by remittng,
etc.
] Oh. I've read of other eccentricties of mon
dress makers. particularly silly story about
one who tempts my into his place by means
of sideboard for free champagne an exquisite
| luncheon and fancy drinks That's fire fiddle
| sticks I'll wager cart-load of champagne
that there is no such tailor or that, II there is
| he doesn't sell a jacket by giving away intoxi-
cants. Women who want to drink in these days
can do so anywhere, and without attracting at
tention. But this other business method there
is no mistake about, so far as some Of the men
| who are doing much for the gentler are
concerned, and I've heard of so much OF it that l
| never see wakngcoat of cloth now without
| wondering whether the wearer has got her note
demanding instant pay, and whether she is med
iating suicide I've no doubt I'm bit Of a
| crank upon the subject, but write these things
in justice TO a number of highly respectable men
| who think they are dong noble thing by
| crowding woman out Of her principal field of
| employment, and highly scientific thing by
| sitting cross-legged when they sew. What they
| think is gained in woman's estimation by smok-
! ing the strongest kind of pipes while they are at
! work don't know, but it is fact that when ]
penetrated e top story of one of these establish
| ments saw door open and three four men
| at work on tables making dresses and every one
had in his mouth-oh, phewi | stick to my
dress-maker in skirts if you please.
wouldn't believe it. That any man should
suppose that women, in order to get sly nips OF
alcohol would take the fluid concealed in mock
fruit, surpassed all the folly l had ever encoun-
tered. Why, the simple upshot of such device
would be that grapes aud the like, real and un
real. would become suspicious, and couldn't be
eaten with propriety at ALL But have investi
gated. India rubber small fruit is an actuality
1t was patented on Nov. II, 1855. The numbe.
of the patent s $50, 49l, and have copy of the
specifications Oh file in the Patent Office ..The
general nature of my invention" says the mis-
guided inventor, lis capsule formed of thin
India rubber or equivalent material, filled with
spirits or other liquid, initiating the app earance
of grapes, currants and similar globular small
fruit" He explains how his mode of carrying
out his invention is to take {. very
choot of ipdi hhor nd nld ho
same over the nozzle of syringe, or force-pump,
supplied with the liquog which the capsules are
intended to contain. The liquid is then forced
into the rubber disc, which distends into glob-
ular form. When sufficient has been injected,
| the mouth of what is now the filed capsule Is
| permanently closed by means of fine and very
| strong cord, tied around the same Immediately
in front OF the nozzle of the syringe. forco
pump, and the plus of rubber is cut off. Tn,
smooth, glistening capsule presents highly in
viling, indeed, a luscious appearance" he adds
closely resembling that OF grape, cnrrant
cherry or other like fruit. The manner o
using the capsule is obvious They are take,
into the mouth, and when sufficiently com
pressed therein the thin rubber will burst the lib
Grated liquid being swallowed and tho rubber skin
elected, all similar to the eating OF ordinerl
grape" The ludicrous attempt Is being mad
just now in New York to introduce the rubbe
grape, and society maids and matrons, who ar
{ supposed to be of modest and retiring disposi
ton. find in their mails aluring circulars setting
forth the advantages Of secret tipplng in public
j Sample boxes have been placed where the.
/ would do the most good. or evil, and the manu-
!, facturers say in their circular: I'VE have a.
ready received abundant testimony rs to appre
citation of this novel and tasty method of put
ting up selected wines and liquors, they ca
be most conveniently and pleasantly utilized o
, all such occasions, or at moments when refresf
: ments are not proper necessity. Trave
ers. fatigued and exhausted from journeyins
: | will find ready for a refreshing stimr
= liant whenever needed, without observation, eve
q in the most critical surroundings
o The rubber nip seems to have been found a
!. Improvement upon the old plan of retreating int
= a corner of parlor car and fishing flask out {
s a gripsack. Supplied with a box of whsk
It grapes. the most respectable-appearnc matror